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Summer35

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Posts posted by Summer35

    At what point do cruise prices hit their lowest?

    in Saving Money on Your Cruise - Tips & Advice

    Posted

    ... especially in this economy. True, cruise lines generally offered some incentives to book early (or conversely, made it less economical to commit after final payment date) but that seems to be changing. Often, it all comes down to how well the date is selling. There's usually a formula in place ... if bookings are brisk, the fares rise; if they're sluggish, prices decrease, and/or incentives such as onboard credit are added. If the exact times were predictable, everyone would wait for them ... and of course, fares would go up due to the demand.

     

    Calendarwise, the best prices for Caribbean sailings are during hurricane season ... usually mid-August through late September. If you're willing to risk missing a port, completely changing itineraries (i.e. eastern to western or vice-versa) or any such inconveniences, you'll do very well. Prices just before and after holidays/school vacations are also good.

     

    To further complicate matters, in this time of economic distress, it appears better to book closer to the sail date, since ships aren't filling up as they have. My 1/16 cruise on the Voyager of the Seas out of Galveston still has 62 unsold staterooms, and the Carnival Conquest (also sailing out of Galveston) has a whopping 94! Those are awful numbers, given that the cruise is just over two months out. We booked on 11/2, right at final payment time (not intentionally ... just worked out that way). Our fare was about $140 less than what we'd been tracking over the past few months. Had we booked earlier, we would have been out of luck, since Royal Caribbean no longer issues onboard credit as compensation for fare reductions after final payment is due.

     

    So there you have it ... confused? Me too!

     

    Al

     

     

    Hi, Al,

     

    is there any possibility that i can find out how many cabins unsold on the serenade otS 3/31/2012 and 4/7/2012 ???

     

     

    thanks for your help

     

     

     

    Summer

    Summary of Winning Bids on Priceline, Hotwire, etc.

    in San Juan, PR

    Posted · Edited by Summer35

    I won the Marriott for $102. Started at $96 then $100 then $101 then $102...with taxes/fees= $121. We have stayed there before and paid $156, so this is a good deal! Really nice place on the beach!

     

    When re-bidding I chose any area that did NOT have the little "resort" umbrella except for San Juan of course. There is only one other resort area...Rio-something.

     

     

    I just thought about to do the same, but can i be sure that they didnt give me a 4 * upgrade in the "unwanted" area?

    Summary of Winning Bids on Priceline, Hotwire, etc.

    in San Juan, PR

    Posted

    Hi,

     

    as i said i bid for a 3,5 and get an upgrade....later i saw that i had the wrong dates in there. I sent a mail to priceline and they offered my that cancellation fee when i made a new succesfull bidding. i did today and get the Radisson Ambassador for 125 $, i think it was to much but all i wanted is a hotel reservation for the right time in april. i had to sent a mail to priceline with the new reservation number and now i hope to get the money ( exclusive the cancellation fee) back ...

     

    i read this in several other thread, that priceline would do this , if it happens once with the wrong dates.

     

    Greetings from Germany

     

     

    Summer

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